Tokyo show: Honda to build CR-Z

HONDA today confirmed there will indeed be a spiritual successor to the much-loved sporty CRX, announcing that it will put into production a version of the CR-Z Concept car revealed this week at the Tokyo motor show.

The original Australian-market CRX hatchback (sold here from 1987 to 1992) was distinguished by a small vertical rear window beneath the main hatchback, a feature that has been notably refrained on the latest show car.

Honda replaced the hatchback with a softer Targa-top CRX that disappointed enthusiasts and was discontinued in Australia from September 1998.

The production CR-Z will, like the show car, have a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, which may distance fans of the original sports coupe even further – at least until its performance credentials are revealed.

We expect the CR-Z (which stands for ‘Compact Renaissance Zero') to employ the same drivetrain as the Civic Hybrid, but it will likely be considerably lighter.

Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui announced the production plans in a speech at the Tokyo show, saying that the CR-Z coupe will join Honda’s forthcoming ‘global hybrid’ family car, which is due to launch in 2009.

However, he did not reveal when or where the stylish hybrid 2+2 coupe would go into production.

“The CR-Z is a model that symbolises Honda’s hybrid technology,” said Mr Fukui. “The CR-Z features a dynamic yet sharp exterior design that makes people want to get in and drive.

“Through this model Honda demonstrates a new direction for the next-generation hybrid sports car to enable people to enjoy sporty driving.” The CR-Z Concept follows the Honda Remix Concept (seen at the LA Show last year) and the Small Hybrid Sports Concept (debuted at Geneva in March), both of which were designed to explore the potential of a compact sports car that is exciting to drive, but has minimal impact on the environment.

Mr Fukui also announced that Honda will put into production the FCX concept fuel cell car, which is powered by hydrogen and therefore emits only water vapour through the exhaust pipe.

The Honda chief said the production version of the FCX will be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show next month, with sales beginning in the United States and Japan next year.

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